Electroweak phase transition and entropy release in the early universe

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the Higgs potential at finite temperatures causes a slight increase in entropy during the early universe's expansion, potentially impacting baryogenesis and leptogenesis.

Contribution

It provides a calculation of entropy increase due to the Higgs potential in the minimal standard model during the electroweak phase transition.

Findings

Entropy density increases slightly during the electroweak phase transition.

The entropy rise can influence baryo-through-leptogenesis outcomes.

Results are derived within the minimal standard model framework.

Abstract

It is shown that the vacuum-like energy of the Higgs potential at non-zero temperatures leads, in the course of the cosmological expansion, to a small but non-negligible rise of the entropy density in the comoving volume. This increase is calculated in the frameworks of the minimal standard model. The result can have a noticeable effect on the outcome of baryo-through-leptogenesis.